by H. H. Fowler
“Please, don’t make it look as if I’m crazy,” Rena said. “My handbag was in my room and after searching for it for the last eight hours, I’m inclined to think that someone has stolen it.”
“I apologize if I do appear insensitive,” the manager said. “But what I’m explaining to you is that within my twelve years of being the manager of this hotel, nothing has ever happened like this before. Our employees’ backgrounds are screened rigorously – before and after they are hired to work for the Smithson Hotel. We maintain strict security measures and processes, thus greatly reducing, if not eliminating the risk of such behavior in our employees.”
“That’s impossible!” Rena spat. “Employee theft is an age-old problem and people will always find a way to steal. Especially within hotels, such as the one you so adamantly defend. And no amount of security upgrades and processes could stop it. So don’t give me any bull crap about your policies, which by the way are only fluffed with words to simply protect your backside. I’m giving you an opportunity to locate my handbag or else I’m going to find a dirty lawyer and sue the paint off of this place!”
Rena swung around and left the manager with his mouth agape. A short distance away, a hotel clerk had been listening in on the conversation between the guest and his manager. The clerk was literally shaking in his boots after the exchange because he remembered replacing a room key for a pregnant woman about three nights ago. She’d fed him some story explaining that while she was pressing the button to get some ice, the key slipped through her fingers and fell through the vent.
Even though the pregnant woman’s name was not listed on that particular room, it was listed on another room – showing that the pregnant woman was still a guest at the hotel. So in good faith, the clerk replaced the key. But however cordial and helpful the clerk had been, he’d gone against hotel policy, which clearly read that to replace a room key, the guest must produce a valid ID on which the name must match the one associated with the room number in the system. The clerk fretted that such a move would have come back to haunt him. He was usually too accommodating and at times it had gotten him into some tight spots.
The assistant manager, along with Human Resources were presently interviewing the entire housekeeping department. It was only a matter of time before they made their stop to the Front Desk. Did he dare reveal what he’d done? It could cost him his job and in these hard economic times, the clerk didn’t think he would be able to survive. His best bet was to keep silent and maybe this situation would blow over quicker than he imagined. However, the clerk had every intention of being on the lookout for that pregnant woman. Because it was a good chance that she was the one who’d stolen that woman’s handbag out of her room.
Chapter Twelve
9:15 p.m.
The hotel room was unusually quiet without Annalise, but Armando welcomed the serene atmosphere as he needed the time to think and to put his life into perspective. But he did plan to see Annalise afterwards, even though he knew he was not emotionally fit to deal with her constantly accusing him of abandoning her and their daughter. She argued that if he’d been in place when she first felt that piercing pain in her abdomen, maybe their daughter would be alive tonight.
Losing a baby had to be the worse feeling in the world. All of the expectation and the excitement of knowing that a new life was about to enter into the world was suddenly taken away. It left one feeling like a complete failure. And Armando got that Annalise needed someone to blame, but had she been willing to accept her part in this tragedy, he wouldn’t have been so angry with her. She was too stubborn for her own good. Despite being told that carrying a baby at forty-three years old could be extremely risky, she refused to listen to his counsel or to those in the medical profession.
His heart felt as if it wanted to burst in two. How wise it had been of Ms. Hive to cancel the show for tonight, because Armando didn’t have the motivation to perform, much less the energy to give the audience what they had come to expect. It was not long after Armando had clicked off the lamp that he heard his cell phone vibrating on the coffee table. He sat up on the sofa and reached for it right away, assuming that it was the hospital calling about Annalise. But he was pleasantly surprised to know that it was his younger brother, Drake.
“How are you doing, big bro?” Drake inquired. “I called right away when Ma told me that you and Annalise lost the baby.”
The amount of concern present in Drake’s voice comforted Armando immediately. In fact, Armando had always appreciated Drake for his ability to show great care without even trying. “It hurts like hell,” he said. “But I’ll survive. News certainly gets around quickly.”
“You know exactly how Ma operates. She doesn’t know what it means to hold her peace, especially when it comes down to her family. But I’m glad she told me.”
Armando couldn’t help but smile. “Earlier today, we got into a disagreement about Annalise and I’m fairly confident that our mother is relieved that my wife lost the baby.”
“You shouldn’t say that, man. Ma is really saddened by your loss. I think she just wants you to be happy.”
“I know she does, but sometimes she butts into my personal life a little too much. And it gets on my nerves the way she still treats me as if I’m ten years old.”
Drake chuckled. “Join the club. I don’t think Ma realizes we’ve all grown up and are leading our own lives. But she means well.”
“Not when it comes to my wife, little bro. She called Annalise a devil.”
“Ma calls everyone and everything a devil. You shouldn’t take her too seriously.”
Armando sighed deeply. “Man, you know how much that bothered me for my own mother to call my wife a devil? I don’t care if she was playing around or not. She shouldn’t have done it.”
“Just so you know, I agree with you,” Drake said. “Ma should show some respect for your wife, even if she’s not too fond of Annalise. I will talk to her about it.”
“Don’t bother. Ma has already made up her mind about Annalise, even though she’s only met her that one time.”
A brief pause ensued, which gave Armando an opportunity to change the subject. “So, how are you and Sasha doing? I heard you guys were going through a rough patch a couple months ago.”
“We were,” Drake admitted. “But we’re doing fine now. In fact, we went house hunting the other day.”
“Good for you. At least one of us is experiencing some good fortune.”
“And I would say that Kevin isn’t doing too bad himself,” Drake added. “He’s engaged to Sasha’s best friend.”
“The jewelry designer?”
“Yup...and her name is Hunter Rose, by the way.”
“But she’s white. Kevin doesn’t date white women.”
“He does now, bro. He fell hard for this one and I honestly believe that it’s going to work out between them. In fact, this is also part of the reason why I called. Ma is throwing an engagement party for them and she told me to inform you about it. Will you come?”
You are a hypocrite, Ma. You were quick to fall in love with Kevin’s choice, while you show nothing but contempt for mine. “I don’t know, little bro. It all depends on how well Annalise recovers. Plus, I’m not too certain how much longer I will be in Devin’s Cay. But I will be sure to let you know.”
“Okay, man. I love you and please take it easy.”
Drake’s bold show of affection caused Armando to smile. “Love you too, bud. Take care.”
Again, Armando was left alone in silence. However, he did not embrace it as he’d done fifteen minutes before. So instead of relaxing back onto the sofa, he stood up and pushed his feet into his leather sandals. He was not going to see Annalise – at least not until he’d gotten a stiff drink from downstairs at the bar. It would help fortify him against Annalise’s vicious attacks upon his conscience. He took the elevator to the lobby and walked out the back exit toward the pool.
“I’m Still in Love with You,” a song by the
Jamaican dancehall artist, Sean Paul was being performed by a live band, who was doing an impressive job of representing the original soundtrack. According to Wikipedia, the song reached no. 6 in the UK, no. 13 on the U.S. R&B charts, and no. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also became a top ten hit in Italy, Ireland and Switzerland. Armando could see why the song became an instant hit. It was filled with nostalgic overtones, which resonated deeply with people who were experiencing the ups and downs of being in love.
The song instantly made Armando think of Rena and the passionate kiss they’d shared a little over twenty-four hours ago. It crushed him when she’d told him that she was flying back to Paris tonight. It was also another reason that probably had him feeling the way he did. Not being able to see Rena again was a completely depressing thing to digest. So imagine his surprise when he took a seat at the bar and saw her sipping on a wet martini. Armando thought he was hallucinating, but he knew he was far from hallucinating when Rena turned to meet his gaze.
“It’s not my fault I’m still on this island,” she said. “I still can’t find my bloody handbag, which contains my bloody passport and all my identification.”
Armando smiled, but more from the fact of knowing that Rena was still just a kiss away from him. He dared not tell her how relieved he was that she’d missed her flight. He turned to the bartender and said, “I’ll have the same thing she’s having.”
“If my handbag is not located by tomorrow morning,” she said, “I intend to sue this hotel for everything it’s got.”
“You’re upset. I don’t think you really mean that,” Armando said, turning his attention back to her. “Besides, what makes you think that the hotel is responsible?”
Rena scoffed. “You’ve got to be kidding me. My handbag was stolen out of my hotel room. I remember holding on to it when we…” She paused to shut down the images of her and Armando locking lips right outside of the elevator. “I am not crazy; I know my handbag was stolen.”
Armando fastened his gaze on the live band, who was still performing Sean Paul’s “I’m Still in Love with You.” The band seemed to have extended the song, due to the dance floor filling up with couples embracing the romance that was building in the atmosphere.
“Dance with me,” Armando said, turning again to Rena. “This song reminds me so much of us.”
“Us? I don’t think so. You are a married man who is feeling depressed over the loss of his daughter –”
Armando cut short Rena’s protest by pulling her unexpectedly off of her stool. He dragged her all the way into the center of the dance floor, right in front of the lead male singer. Rena continued to resist until Armando gripped her hips and pressed her into him. Years of gyrating on stage in front of thousands had helped turn Armando into an experienced charmer. Even if Rena had wanted to continue resisting, she couldn’t. Not when Armando had locked his sexy stares on her and was tastefully wooing her into a world where no rules existed.
Soon, she could no longer stand looking into Armando’s eyes without experiencing a rise in her temperature level. Instinctively, she rested her head right below his chest and allowed the moment to consume her. She felt Armando’s fingers, exploring the nape of her neck, which soon turned into the caressing of her shoulders, as they gyrated in sync to every beat, to every chord. When the song ended, Rena gently pushed herself out of Armando’s embrace and walked away without looking back. She did not dare look back and show Armando her wretched tears. To her, that dance meant goodbye.
Chapter Thirteen
Monday Morning – 8:11 a.m.
The minute Sasha walked into her classroom she was told that Mrs. O’Grady wanted to meet with her in her office. Sasha sighed inwardly. Mrs. O’Grady’s office was a good distance away and Sasha would only take the long walk if it was absolutely necessary. But when Mrs. O’Grady called, she knew she had better move swiftly or else Sasha wouldn’t hear the end of it. She placed her briefcase on the desk and told the few students who were present that she would return hopefully within fifteen minutes.
So down the hall Sasha went, her heels rhythmically clicking on the polished floor. She exited her block and crossed the quadrangle toward the building of administration. She attempted to pull open the double glass doors, only to have them pushed out before her. She was stunned to see that the person behind the doors was Levi, looking just as stunned as she did. But Sasha’s surprise quickly turned into an accusatory look, which Levi took to mean that he was about to be plastered by Sasha’s sharp tongue.
“What are you doing coming out of the administration building?” she asked him.
That’s none of your business, Levi wanted to say, but instead, he settled for a more acceptable response. “Mrs. O’Grady wanted to see me.”
“Why?”
“What do you mean why?”
“Don’t play with me, Levi, because I’ve had enough of your games to last me for a lifetime.”
Levi shook his head at the way Sasha believed she had control over his life. “Since you are that desperate to settle your curiosity,” he quipped, “Mrs. O’Grady and I have agreed that I will coach the boys’ basketball team until the school finds someone else.”
“Wow,” Sasha spat sarcastically. “You will listen to Mrs. O’Grady, but you wouldn’t listen me?”
“What are you running on with now?”
“Stop playing crazy, Levi, because you know exactly what I’m talking about!”
“No, I don’t and frankly, I’m tired of you twisting my motives around every time you get the opportunity.”
Sasha walked off a little ways from the administration building, only pausing to bark a command at Levi. “Follow me! Because I will not allow you, or Myles to record this conversation on camera.”
Although Levi was completely flabbergasted by the remark, he did not need to be told twice to follow Sasha. His very own curiosity propelled his long strides behind her. They ended up in an open field, far away from any possible eavesdropping.
“Give me your phone,” Sasha demanded.
“For what?”
“Just give me your phone!”
“I’m not giving you anything until you tell me what the hell is going on with you.”
“Alright, keep your phone,” Sasha spat. “It only proves that you and Myles are working together to destroy my marriage.”
“What?”
“You tried it before, sending an anonymous letter to Drake on our wedding day, informing him with lies that you and I had slept together. What’s to stop you now from coming up with another elaborate scheme to aid you in your sick obsession? Only difference is this time you included that poor innocent boy in your mess. When is it going to stop, Levi? When you’re locked up behind bars for good? Because if you continue to harass me, I will go to the police.”
Levi burst out in laughter, but clearly he wasn’t the least bit amused by Sasha’s words. “Are you for real, throwing that garbage at me and expecting for me to digest it? Contrary to what you believe, neither Myles nor I had anything to do with those emails or that bloody video clip. Myles was nowhere around that locker room that morning and I was too busy with my tongue down your throat to record it.”
“Then let me see your phone to check your text messages,” Sasha insisted, hating the way Levi had cunningly reminded her of their indiscretion.
“You’re not checking anything on my phone, Sasha and I’m serious about that.”
“Then I stand by my accusation until you can prove to me that you and Myles are not the ones trying to blackmail me.”
Levi scoffed. “It won’t matter what I say or do, because you will always see me as someone trying to hurt you, or trying to come between you and Drake.”
“And can you blame me? You started it all.”
“Believe what you wanna believe, Sasha. Because it doesn’t matter what you think of me anymore. I have changed for the better and the only person who gets a vote on how I live my life from this point on is Yasmine Strummer.”
The words stung Sasha to silence, which was Levi’s cue to back away before Sasha thought of something else smart to say. But Sasha was relieved the conversation had ended. She took a moment to compose herself before continuing her strides to Mrs. O’Grady’s office.
“You wanted to see me?”
Mrs. O’Grady moved her gaze from the computer just long enough to acknowledge Sasha. “Yes, please come in and have a seat. I will be with you momentarily.”
Sasha stepped into the office and pulled out a chair. She was still trying to make sense of what Levi had said about Yasmine. She’d forgotten that those two were on the rebound, hoping to build a connection that would last. Sasha didn’t want to be critical, but she seriously doubted that Levi was fully committed to Yasmine and would think twice before he spent the rest of his life with her. Granted, she could be wrong, but Sasha just couldn’t imagine seeing those two in a lifelong relationship.
“You missed one heck of a game on Saturday,” Mrs. O’Grady said, pulling Sasha away from her thoughts. “And must I tell you, those boys played their hearts out, winning the first national basketball championship for the school. Everyone should be proud of them.”
“Oh wow, that’s awesome news,” Sasha said. “But I hadn’t any idea that they’d won.”
Mrs. O’Grady looked at Sasha suspiciously. “Didn’t Mr. Johnson tell you? He showed up in the nick of time and coached those boys straight to the last point that sealed the victory. I must thank you for talking to him and getting him to realize that it would have been quite selfish of him to abandon those boys during a time when they needed him most.”
Sasha’s brows rumpled in confusion. “Are you sure it was Mr. Johnson that showed up?”
“Don’t be crazy, I was there to see him with my own eyes. I assumed he would have told you. And he was amazing – the way he strutted his muscular frame up and down the sidelines.”
“I didn’t think my words had gotten through to him. Levi…I mean, Mr. Johnson can be quite stubborn.”